Pennsylvania voters support 59 - 26 percent a proposal by Gov. Ed Rendell to borrow $800
million to clean up the environment, but only if the money is paid off by trash-haulers and
polluters, not by taxpayers, according to a Quinnipiac poll released today.

When the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN uh-pe-ack) University poll first asked voters
if they supported the $800 million environmental bond act, without pointing out the "tax-free"
payoff formula, voters opposed it 58 - 31 percent. When the pay-off formula was added to the
question, the results switched.

As tax season approaches, voters approve 52 - 43 percent of the deal struck in
Harrisburg last year to increase state income taxes, with the additional money used to pay for
education. Republican voters disapprove 52 - 44 percent, as Democrats approve 60 - 35
percent and independent voters approve 54 - 40 percent.

"The Governor's conservation bond issue is clearly a winner with the voters - as
long as they don't have to pay for it. Almost 60 percent back the $800 million borrowing
plan when you explain that it will be paid for by garbage haulers and those who dump
pollutants," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling
Institute.

"Gov. Rendell remains in pretty good shape with Pennsylvania voters after a year
in office, his approval rating has increased slightly and he still gets significantly better
marks than the state legislature," Richards added.

Voters support 65 - 31 percent legalizing slot machines at race tracks, if the money
is used for property tax reform. And voters support 57 - 39 percent legalizing slot
machines at locations other than race tracks, also if the money is used for property tax
reform.

But voters split 48 - 47 percent on whether it's a good idea to depend on gambling
for $3 billion a year in state revenue.

"At first glance, voters love gambling as a painless way to pay for government
services. But when they start thinking about gambling as a major pillar holding up the
state budget, voters have some second thoughts," Richards said.

From February 10 - 16, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,356 Pennsylvania
registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and the
nation as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling his job
as Governor?

21. To resolve the budget stalemate last year the governor and the legislature
agreed to raise the state income tax in Pennsylvania with the increased revenue
going to pay for education. Do you approve or disapprove of raising the income tax
to help pay for education?

23a. (If "Disapprove" q23) Suppose the 800 million dollars would be paid off
by user fees on companies that haul garbage and cause pollution and not with
taxpayer dollars. Would you approve or disapprove of Gov. Rendell's proposal
to borrow 800 million dollars for environmental programs in Pennsylvania?

(* NOTE: Number of respondents in Philly subgroup is 75 or less. Additional
caution should be taken when interpreting the findings of this subgroup because
of the larger margin of error.)

23b. (COMBINED RESULTS of 23 & 23a)
Do you approve or disapprove of Gov. Rendell's proposal to borrow 800 million
dollars for environmental programs in Pennsylvania?
IF DISAPPROVE: Suppose the 800 million dollars would be paid off by user fees on
companies that haul garbage and cause pollution and not with taxpayer dollars.
Would you approve or disapprove of Gov. Rendell's proposal to borrow 800 million
dollars for environmental programs in Pennsylvania?

26. Supporters of legislation to legalize slot machines in Pennsylvania say
the proposal could raise as much as 3 billion dollars a year in state
revenues. Do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea to depend on gambling
to raise 3 billion dollars a year in state revenues?